Review of uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage

Unfortunately, even when it is clearly another motorist is at fault for a Phoenix resident’s injuries following a motor vehicle accident, obtaining compensation for medical bills, lost wages and the like can be difficult.

In some cases, the responsible driver may not carry automobile insurance at all, even though Arizona law requires it. In other cases, while a driver may carry insurance, the insurance simply is not enough to cover all of the victim’s injuries, and the driver has no other viable means of paying.

Unfortunately, still other drivers may refuse to take responsibility and flee the scene of a car accident involving a pedestrian or another vehicle.

As the name implies, a person with this coverage may have the right to ask for compensation if he or she is injured by, for example, a hit-and-run driver or a driver who was not carrying insurance. Underinsured motorist coverage can help in situations where an at-fault driver causes extensive damage and injuries and does not have enough insurance to pay all of the compensation that is owed.

Even if a victim purchased this type of insurance, however, getting one’s own insurance carrier to pay for an uninsured or underinsured motorist can be difficult. Some insurance companies may unfairly deny a claim while others may be reluctant to pay full compensation to a victim who has been injured in an accident. It may be helpful for someone who has been victimized by a hit-and-run motorist or an uninsured motorist to determine what options they have for compensation, including the possibility of pursuing a personal injury claim if appropriate.